DOJ's FBI awards $5.76M for Cellebrite software, extending access through 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,755,326 ($5.8M)

Contractor: FCN, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2027-09-27

Contract Duration: 727 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: UNLOCK AND EXTRACTION SOFTWARE CELLEBRITE

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $5.8 million to FCN, INC. for work described as: UNLOCK AND EXTRACTION SOFTWARE CELLEBRITE Key points: 1. Value for money assessed against market rates for similar digital forensics tools. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include contract duration and reliance on a single software provider. 4. Performance context is tied to the FBI's need for digital evidence analysis capabilities. 5. Sector positioning within the broader digital forensics and cybersecurity market.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.76 million for Cellebrite software over approximately two years appears reasonable when benchmarked against industry standards for advanced digital forensics solutions. While specific per-unit costs are not detailed, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests predictable budgeting. Comparison to similar contracts for data extraction and analysis tools would provide further insight into cost-effectiveness, but the FBI's stated need for this specific capability suggests a perceived value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered. The presence of three bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized software. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives a fair market price for the required services and software licenses.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging vendors to offer their best pricing.

Public Impact

Law enforcement agencies, specifically the FBI, benefit from enhanced digital evidence analysis capabilities. Services delivered include software licenses and potentially support for digital forensics tools. Geographic impact is national, supporting FBI operations across various field offices. Workforce implications involve training and equipping analysts with advanced digital investigation tools.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential vendor lock-in with reliance on a specific software provider.
Ensuring ongoing software updates and compatibility with evolving digital evidence formats.
Adequate training and support for FBI personnel to maximize software utility.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration.
Long-term contract (727 days) allows for sustained operational capability.

Sector Analysis

The digital forensics market is a critical segment of the broader cybersecurity and information technology sector. This contract for Cellebrite software, a leading provider in digital intelligence, fits within the government's increasing need for tools to investigate digital crimes and gather evidence. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are difficult to pinpoint due to the specialized nature of the software, but investments in digital forensics tools are a growing trend across federal law enforcement.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Given the specialized nature of Cellebrite software, it is likely that the primary awardee is a large business or a direct reseller. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in subcontracting roles or if there are opportunities within the broader digital forensics ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, as well as internal FBI procurement and program management controls. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure and the defined delivery order period, requiring the contractor to meet specified deliverables.

Related Government Programs

Digital Forensics Software
Law Enforcement Technology
Cybersecurity Tools
Evidence Analysis Software
Federal Bureau of Investigation Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on proprietary technology
Need for continuous software updates
Admissibility of digital evidence
Training and proficiency requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $5.8 million to FCN, INC.. UNLOCK AND EXTRACTION SOFTWARE CELLEBRITE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FCN, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2027-09-27.

What is the track record of FCN, INC. in providing similar software solutions to federal agencies?

FCN, INC. has a history of providing IT solutions and services to various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice. Their contract portfolio often includes software licensing, hardware, and professional services. While specific details on past performance with Cellebrite software are not immediately available in this summary, their general experience in the federal IT procurement space suggests a capacity to manage such contracts. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history would reveal their specific success rates and client satisfaction levels for similar technology procurements.

How does the $5.76 million cost compare to previous FBI procurements of Cellebrite software or similar tools?

Without direct historical data on previous FBI procurements of Cellebrite software or comparable digital forensics tools, a precise cost comparison is challenging. However, the contract value of $5.76 million over approximately two years suggests an annual expenditure of roughly $2.88 million. This figure should be benchmarked against market research reports for digital forensics software and against contracts awarded to other agencies for similar capabilities. Factors such as the number of licenses, included support, and specific software modules will influence the overall cost. The firm-fixed-price nature indicates a defined scope, which aids in cost predictability.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on Cellebrite software for digital evidence analysis?

Primary risks include potential vendor lock-in, where the FBI becomes heavily dependent on Cellebrite's proprietary technology, making transitions to other solutions difficult and costly. There's also a risk related to the rapid evolution of digital devices and data formats; the software must be continuously updated to remain effective, and any delays or failures in updates could hinder investigations. Furthermore, the integrity and admissibility of digital evidence analyzed using the software are paramount, requiring rigorous validation and potential challenges in court. Ensuring adequate training for analysts to use the software proficiently and ethically is also a critical risk mitigation factor.

How effective is Cellebrite software in supporting the FBI's mission of combating crime and ensuring national security?

Cellebrite software is widely recognized in the digital forensics industry for its capabilities in extracting and analyzing data from a vast array of mobile devices, computers, and cloud sources. Its effectiveness for the FBI lies in its ability to provide crucial digital evidence for investigations into criminal activities, terrorism, and national security threats. By enabling the recovery of deleted files, communication records, and user activity, it supports intelligence gathering and prosecution. The FBI's continued investment in this technology underscores its perceived value in enhancing investigative capacity and operational effectiveness in the digital realm.

What are the historical spending patterns of the FBI on digital forensics and data extraction tools?

The FBI, like other federal law enforcement agencies, has shown a consistent and increasing investment in digital forensics and data extraction tools over the past decade. This trend is driven by the proliferation of digital devices and the growing volume of data generated. While specific historical spending figures for the FBI on Cellebrite or similar tools require detailed analysis of past contract awards, it is evident that such technologies represent a significant and growing portion of their technology budget. This reflects the critical role digital evidence plays in modern investigations.

What is the significance of the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' contract type?

The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' signifies that the solicitation was initially intended for full and open competition, but certain sources were excluded prior to the final award. This could occur for various reasons, such as specific technical requirements, prior performance issues, or unique capabilities possessed by the remaining bidders. While it still implies a competitive process among the included sources, it suggests a narrower field than a pure full and open competition. The presence of three bidders indicates that despite exclusions, sufficient competition was maintained to ensure fair pricing and selection.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 TOWER OAKS BLVD STE 575, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,472,645

Exercised Options: $11,472,645

Current Obligation: $5,755,326

Actual Outlays: $5,717,319

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC71B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline